Toronto's waterfront may not yet be the most accessible or visually pleasing peice of property in the world, it continues to draw people who want to live close to the water, and this desire is being taken to a whole new level. With projects ranging from the massive 57 and 67-storey towers of Ice Condominiums At York Centre to the 735-foot tall Ten York, we are systematically reclaiming our city's blue edge from the land of parking lots and creating entirely new neighbourhoods. One project that stands out from the pack of new development in the area is Waterlink at Pier 27. Waterlink does not stand out for its height or amount of residents it will bring to the neighbourhood, but because of features like its relative human scale, rising to a modest 14 storeys in four buildings and unique bridging penthouses.

Waterlink at Pier 27 under construction, image by rdaner

Located just southeast of the foot of Yonge Street, Waterlink is in a good location close to the financial district, Billy Bishop Airport and the Toronto Island Ferry Docks. One of the first things one notices about Waterlink are the connecting Skybridges that sit atop the four buildings. 

Waterlink at Pier 27 Under Construction, image by Razz

Another notable design feature in this architectsAlliance-designed building is the angle at which they sit facing the water. A number of buildings developed along the waterfont in the past have not done much in the way of providing at least visual access to the water if not physical access. Waterlink has been designed in recognition of its location on Lake Ontario.

Waterlink at Pier 27 Under Construction, image by by Razz

Future residents of Waterlink can expect to enjoy amenities like a lakeside swimming pool and soon will have a chance to enjoy the Queens Quay Revitalization just to the west. The revitalization, scheduled for completion in 2015, hopes to transform this emerging pedestrian street into a transit-oriented, bike-laned, and tree-lined promenade.

Queens Quay West Revitalization Rendering, image by Waterfront Toronto

This Cityzen and Fernbrook Homes development has been under construction for some time now and is scheduled for completion this year. Below is a rendering of what we can expect when Waterlink at Pier 27 is completed.

Rendering of the completed Waterlink at Pier 27, image by Cityzen and Fernbrook Homes

Want to know more about Waterlink or other related projects? Check out the datBase listings below and join the discussion in the Forum.